{Honest} Diapers: A Better Choice for Baby

We have had quite a winter season with illnesses that bombarded our family like none other year.  From allergies and stomach flues to chronic coughing and runny noses, to a relentless case of hives, I've never before actually LOOKED FORWARD TO the arrival of the Arizona summer heat! Ugh!


So, regarding the hives.  My daughter came down with these, and they lasted a good two weeks.  If you've experienced hives, you'll know that they come and go as they seemingly please, and just when you think they're gone, they reappear somewhere else a little later.  BEYOND FRUSTRATING for a mother!

Of course, we took her to the doctor, where they advised me it was probably a viral infection versus an allergy due to her age (a toddler).  They prescribed taking doses of benadryl to ease the itching and offer some relief to them.  We did use the benadryl, but this did nothing to really prevent the hives from resurfacing.  It did provide some relief from the itching, I'll admit, but nothing to really resolve the {root of the} problem.  So I did what most of you probably do: I went online and started researching natural ways to remedy this pain in the rear the hives.  From that, we tried oatmeal & tea tree oil baths.  Beyond that, "natural remedies," as far as Google is concerned, were a matter of waiting it out.  Using my own rational judgment,  I also switched her laundry back to the baby detergent and got some organic diaper rash cream & lotion for her.  Still, the hives occurred.

The most interesting symptom of the hives was that, in addition to them being all over her body, she also experienced a ridiculously red rash on her bottom.  It wasn't a "normal" diaper rash -- it was somewhat of a cross between diaper rash and hives {sorry - no pictures -- she'd kill me if I ever posted pictures of her like that!}.  Anyway, the rash appeared in the morning, after having slept in her diaper all night long.  This quickly prompted me to look for a "greener" diaper alternative.

Thank GOD {literally!!} for the "Parenting" magazine showing up in my mailbox during the midst of this episode, because there it was, headlined in that particular issue, "The Honest Company."  And what do they do, you ask?  Well, they specialize in "green," safe products -- everything from diapers to cleaning products {shampoo, hand soap, sunscreen, laundry detergent, etcetera}.  It was started by the actress, Jessica Alba, after she had kids and wanted something more safe and natural for her own pipsqueaks.

I immediately ordered their sampler kit and was BEYOND THRILLED with the products I received!  And guess what?  The very next morning when my daughter woke up?  NO diaper rash or red bottom what.so.ever!  Ahhhh-mazing! Needless to say, I immediately signed up for their full monthly delivery plan -- diapers, wipes, healing balm and all!

ice cream diaper pattern my daughter loves!

So this led me to start researching more about diapers.  Mind you, I have actually dabbled in cloth diapers, which my daughter used for her first 6 months of life, in fact.  But as she began to crawl and move more, the bulky cloth diapers became cumbersome, and we made the switch to the leaner disposables.  {If you can get through using cloth diapers, by all means, go for it!  They just didn't work for us}.  The fabulous thing about "The Honest Company" diapers is that they are natural {NO nasty chemicals!!} AND disposable!!  Um, and super cute, too, might I add!  {My daughter now asks for her "ice cream diapers" all the time!}.

So here's the deal on the typical cloth diapers in the industry {as taken from "The Honest Company" website}:

*First off, they are not required to reveal what's inside them {hmmmmm.....}
*There are tons of plastics and chemicals in them
*The plastics emit volatile organic compounds" {VOCS}
*Fragrances and lotions aplenty {made from who knows what?  but many lotions do contain phthalates that are a big no-no}
*Synthetic dyes
*Their bleaching process releases dioxins into the environment

And guess what these dioxins do?  Well, they're known as major cancer causer in us.  Sounds great, eh?  When you actually stop to think about it, it's beyond understanding that these other diaper companies could even consider putting the chemicals they use into diapers.  There needs to be a serious change in the industry!

On top of that, a study suggests there may be a link between these disposable diapers and asthma {hmmm...that would explain the ridiculous increase in asthma in kids}. Another study suggests a possible link between the dyes in diapers and diaper rashes.  That would make sense.

So, all this to say, I URGE you to try to find a safer, better alternative to your baby's diapers!!  As I said, if you can do the cloth diapers, I still think they're the best option out there.  But if those aren't for you {be it time, maintenance, etcetera, then as far as I can tell, the diapers from "The Honest Company" are a top-of-the-line choice for disposable diapers for your baby.

Here's what I KNOW about them::

*chemical FREE
*oil FREE
*plant based
*chlorine-FREE
*perfume FREE
*phthalate FREE
*lotion FREE
*optical brightener FREE
*PVC FREE
*heavy metal FREE
*organotin FREE

You MUST stop to wonder about the rash & hives disappearing when we switched to these natural diapers.  The most important thing I can say here is that these diapers made a DIFFERENCE for us.  I'm not just saying they are good and "green," we actually saw the difference!  And I can tell you, mother to mother, that I feel so, SO much better knowing she is in chemical-free diapers....a part of infancy and toddler-hood that touches their skin day in and day out for 2 to 3 to even 4 years.

Make the switch!!!


{important DISCLAIMER: I was in NO WAY, shape or form paid or given or advised to use "The Honest Company" diapers/products.  I found them on my own, and decided to try them without any others' prompting me.  I HIGHLY recommend these!  Give your baby a better choice and a healthier start!}

Have a product you'd like reviewed?

Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com

www.adamsblankie.com

 

Best Baby Shower Gifts for 2009

When it comes to purchasing a gift for a baby shower, we all want our gifts to be special, unique and undeniably adorable, eliciting the best round of "oooh's" and "aaahh's" from the crowd. But how does one go about digging through the gobs and gobs of choices out there with minimal time on all our hands? Well, I've saved you all the legwork, and have compiled what I consider to be the best baby shower gift ideas for 2009, and they fit any budget, ranging from just $5.50 to $150.00 Here they are, in random order:


Personalized Alphabet Book
Every baby needs a new book, and better than just any old book out there, why not give him or her one that will not only begin to teach the basics and be beautiful to look at, but also personalized with his or her name on the cover. What a true treasure to hold on to forever! The recipient can also choose the exterior color of the book (green, blue or pink), choose the option to add spanish, french or italian to make the book bilingual, AND choose hard or soft cover. You can order the book from www.sweetartsdesign.com.


Owie-All-Gone Bags
I love this idea for taking care of baby's bumps & bruises they undoubtedly will collect when learning to walk and bumping into everything in sight! You can toss the small ones in the freezer and pull them out at the drop of a hat to use to soothe baby's owies, and all without the sting of ice and in sleek, sophisticated fabrics! Check Adam's Blankie to purchase.


Baby Silk Delicate Skin Comfort
This liquid powder goes on like a lotion and then transforms into a silky powder that is designed to keep baby's crevices cool and dry. The powder contains marine silk, vitamins E and B5, aloe, shea butter, corn starch and licorice extract to refresh the delicate skin of baby. It is hypoallergenic, contains no mineral oils, has not been tested on animals, and is made in the USA. Find the powder at www.mdmoms.com.


Monkey Organic Hooded Towel
This hooded towel comes from 3 Sprouts, is organic, and comes in your choice of gray or yellow. Measuring 29"x29" and running you $37.00, the towel is absolutely adorable!


Lovie (Security) Blankies
These are fantastic gifts for baby, as they are constructed with ribbon loops to help keep baby stimulated and soothed at the same time. Babies loves to feel & rub the ribbons between their fingers, not to mention they find the both the sight of the ribbons and the sound of them rubbing together fascinating! They are handcrafted with designer cotton fabric on top and plush minky for cuddling on the back. These are truly a multi-functional blanket that every baby should have, and at 12"x12" square, they're the perfect size for small hands. They come from Adam's Blankie in all styles and colors, and if you don't see what you're looking for on the site, they also welcome custom orders!


Going Green with Baby
Get this book from Amazon for only about $17.00. It's a great guide for all baby products & finds out there. As one Mom puts it, "This book is a great resource! It covers everything an environmentally responsible mom needs to know when making green choices- from how to be green on a budget, to why certain products/ingredients are better than others, to where to find the products you want."

BabySitter Notes
I use something very similar to these babysitter notes all the time whenever we get a babysitter for our son. The topics listed ensure you won't forget anything the babysitter needs to know, including your phone number/s, what's for dinner, what time bedtime is, and what is and is not okay. Sure, we could all print something similar off our computer at home, but these are conveniently made in a notepad style and ready to use at any time, not to mention they look cute. The notepad includes 50 sheets and is only $8.


Rockstar Bib & Burp Set
Among the many chic and modern baby choices for bibbie and burpie sets ($22.50) from Adam's Blankie, this set is a favorite for boys in particular. It is handcrafted, made of 100% designer cotton fabric on top and a plush chenille on the back for extra absorbancy. They also close with a strong pearl snap for both a designer look and longevity of use (they don't use velcro, because velcro wears down over time, not to mention baby can pull a velcro bib off!). So forget the plasticky types that are uncomfortable and totally unnatural, and go for something ultra mod, sophisticated, natural & plush with this choice! Check their website for more options for girls, boys and for those friends not finding out the gender, as well!


Glass Baby Bottle & Siliskin Protectors
With all the concern over unnatural chemicals (BPA) leaking out of plastic bottles and getting into baby's system, I highly advocate considering glass bottles as an alternative. You may be asking yourself, "Yes, that sounds wonderful, but what about them breaking - aren't they impractical??" Well, that's a fantastic question & concern, and my answer to that would be the bottle protectors from Siliskin. While they won't absolutely prevent the bottles from breaking, that is the idea behind them, and if they do happen to break, the protectors will likely contain any glass shards within the "wrapper." They are also dishwasher safe and come in a palette of soothing colors. You can click here for more reviews, or check out Amazon to purchase.
Adiri Natural Nurser Bottle
When we had our son, I never knew these existed (or maybe they did, but I didn't know it!). At any rate, I LOVE the idea of them, as they seem like they would make the transition from nursing to bottle-feeding so much easier. You can find them for about $12.99 from Babies R Us.


Plush Teething Giraffe Rattle
Here is not only an adorable stuffed animal baby can touch & tote around by him or herself, but it is also a natural teether AND rattle ($12.00)! Adam's Blankie carries a variety in many designer fabrics, but this one in particular is special with its black, red and white colors, in that they are the first colors baby's eyes can recognize! Use the rattle as a gift-topper for a package for the baby shower, and later as a decoration in the nursery in addition to its purpose as a rattle & teether!


Lullaby Exercises DVD/CD
Here's a fabulous gift from Chicks-n-Chickens for every Mom who swears they'll be getting into those "pre-baby jeans" in no time! The set includes a 35-minute DVD with high-energy music and a "sleep" mode CD to cool things down and send baby into naptime.


French Dried Lavender Sachets (3)
Lavender is known for soothing people in general, and this does include babies, of course! What a great idea to give to Mom for use in baby's diaper drawer, clothing drawers, closet, diaper bag, wet bag, or laundry! What I especially love (besides the $5.50 price for a set of 3) is that they are one hundred percent natural (versus some room sprays out there laden with chemicals), contain no fillers, and you can choose the fabric in which they are handcrafted! Check Adam's Blankie for choices & purchasing - custom orders are welcome from any of their fabrics on hand! (P.S. I'd also advise getting a set just for Mom to have for herself during those rough first couple months!)


Kiddopotamus Tiny Diner Portable Placemat
We got this for our son, and I cannot begin to tell you how many times we got asked where we got this thing! It's an absolute must for outings with your little one, and makes clean-up a snap, not to mention you don't have to worry about baby getting into all the germs on the table!


Beaba Babycook
I wrote about the Babycook ($150.00) last week, but couldn't resist bringing it back to our "best of" list for shower gifts for 2009 because I think it is such a gem! It saves Mom time, takes the place of a few kitchen gadgets she'd otherwise need to do what it does, and makes healthy food for her baby right in her own kitchen!


Sterling Silver Hand-Stamped Necklace
I purchased one of these from SilverMePendants and absolutely love it! I realize this is, of course, not a gift for baby, but I'm a huge advocate of gifting something just for the Mom-to-be at a shower...any one out there who has given birth knows she absolutely deserves it, after all! Get it custom made with the baby-to-be's name hand-stamped on the pendant, and embellished with a (birthstone) swarovski crystal or sterling silver heart. Mom can enjoy the necklace both before and after baby arrives, keeping her baby close to her heart!

Any of the aforementioned gifts would make fantastic gifts, I'm certain! You can feel confident you've purchased something both exquisite, practical or beautiful with any of these selections.

Stay tuned for how to host the best baby shower ~ tips & how-to's coming this Monday, May 25th!